2008 is the Year of the Rat (4706 on the Chinese calendar). The Lunar New Year (celebrated in similar but culturally different events in China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and Tibet) begins with the new moon of the first day of the New Year, which this year falls on February 7, 2007, and concludes 15 days later on February 22, 2007, with a full moon and Lantern Festival to mark the winter solstice and a return to longer daylight and warmth. The Year of the Rat will end on January 25, 2009.
The Rat is the first in the cycle of 12-animal, 12-year Chinese Zodiac. People born in an Earth Rat are said to be logical, realists, shrewd, charming, ambitious and inventive. These people tend to be respected, charismatic, influential, bright, opportunistic sociable and family-minded. The Rat signifies hard work, activity and renewal. This is a good year to do something new, a job, a company, a marriage, a new challenge for people who are prepared.
The New Year is a time of family reunion and celebrations where people wear red clothes, write poems on red paper and light firecrackers for good luck and give children “lucky money” in red envelopes. The events conclude after fifteen days with a red lantern festival and dragon dance. American Asian communities have established community events that are held on convenient weekends near or on the Lunar New Year.
The below events are listed in the date order:
U of M Chinese New Year
The Chinese American Student Association of the University of Minnesota is holding its annual Chinese New Year celebration on Saturday, January 26, 2008, 5:00 p.m. in the Coffman Memorial Union Great Hall. The public is invited to share the Lunar New Year tradition with of traditional dance and music and a Chinese style dinner.
For more information contact the University of Minnesota, Chinese American Student Association at casa@umn.edu or online at www.tc.umn.edu/~casa/index.html.
Northfield Chinese New Year Celebration
“To China and Back”, the Northfield, Minnesota Chinese New Year Celebration, will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2008, 6:00 p.m. at the Northfield Middle School, 2200 Division Street South. The event will feature world-renowned pipa soloist Ms. Gao Hong.
The event also features the Chinese American Association of Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater and the Northfield High School Chinese Choir. Will Healy will serve as emcee; food and souvenirs will be sold.
The event is sponsored by the Northfield Rotary Club and the Northfield Public Schools Community Services Division are proud to present a Chinese New Year Celebration featuring All proceeds benefit the Northfield Rotary Club International Youth Exchange. Advance tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students, and are available by calling 507-664-3649. Cost at the door is $25.
The Mississippi and Yellow River
Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater (MCDT), directed by Cui Tian Jiang, present their Annual Concert on January 26, 2008, 7:00 p.m. and January 28, 2:00 p.m. at the University of St. Thomas Brady Educational Center, 2115 Summit Avenue, St. Paul. This year’s theme is Mississippi and Yellow River.
Tickets range $20, $18, $16 for adults, and $10 for students and seniors, with a $40 family pack. Call 651-698-7493 or 651-486-7683 for more information, or visit online at www.minghuadance.org.
Tzu Chi Year End Celebration
The Tzu Chi Foundation – USA, Minnesota Office is conducting a Tzu Chi Year End Blessing on Sunday, January 27, 2008, 2:00 p.m. at the Lauderdale Community Center, 1891 Walnut Street (at Roselawn St.) , Lauderdale, Minn.
There will be a Tzu Chi Global Annual Program in Chinese with translation in English, including a blessing with candlelight and red envelopes sent directly from Master Cheng Yen in Taiwan to make a wish for the luck of coming New Year.
Please RSVP to tcmn1013@yahoo.com as there will be a dinner provided after the celebration at 4:30 p.m., or call 651-808-0116 to reserve your seat. Visit online at www.tzuchi.org.global.
Tet Festival (Hoi Cho Tet)
The Vietnamese Community of Minnesota will hold the largest regional “Nguyen Dan Tiet” or “Tet” Year of the Rat Festival on Saturday, February 2, 2008. The day is divided into two events.
The family oriented Tet New Year Festival will be held at a new location, Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is plenty of free parking and free admission. The entertainment program will feature guest performances from recording artists Kevin Khoa and Ngoc Huyen, along with various contests for people of all ages.
The evening New Year’s Formal will be held from 6:00 p.m. to Midnight at Hoa Bien Restaurant, 1129 University Avenue, St. Paul. This event is $15 (advance) and $20 (door).
Find out more about both events online at www.vietnam-minnesota.org. Call Thu Dao, 952-465-9083 or Maria Nguyencong, 612-735-4725 about the evening formal.
MCCSC Chinese New Year Celebration
The Minnesota Chinese Cultural Services Center invites the public join in on their celebration event for the 2008 Chinese New Year on Sunday, February 3, 2008, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the North Star Ballroom, St. Paul Student Center of the University of Minnesota (St. Paul campus), 2017 Buford Avenue, St. Paul.
The program includes a lion dance, Chinese music, dance and song, a talent show, lucky money for children, lots of door prizes, a food bazaar, and more.
Advanced tickets (including $5 food coupon) are $12 ($15 door) for adults; $10 ($12 door) for seniors and student; and $8 ($10 door) for children ages 5 to 12; and free for children under age 5.
Purchase advance tickets from Twin Cities Chinese Language School on Saturdays (9:30 to 11:30 a.m.). Find out more via email at chineseculture@netscape.net.
Korean Elders New Year
The Korean Service Center will hold a New Year’s Lunch Celebration on Friday, February 8, 12:00 noon, for the Korean elders at Cedar Riverside Assisted Living Center, 620 Cedar Ave S., Minneapolis. Staff and friends will dress in Korean dress and put together a program of traditional songs and dances. For more information call 612-339-0009.
U of M Vietnamese Students Tet New Year
The University of Minnesota – Vietnamese Student Association invites the public to attend their annual Tet New Year celebration on Saturday, February 9, 2008, 6:30 p.m. at Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 – 4th Street South, Minneapolis (U of M East Bank). For more information visit online at www.vsamn.com.
Northwestern Chinese New Year Celebration
Northwestern Health Sciences University invites the public to attend a free Chinese New Year event on February 9, 2008, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. on campus at 2501 W. 84th St., Bloomington, Minn. There will be entertainment, music, clothing, food, and Chinese games make this event fun for the whole family. Phone 952-888-4777, Business 1. Visit online at www.nwhealth.edu/community or email community@nwhealth.edu.
Tibetan Sangsol
The Losar ‘Sangsol’, a traditional incense burning ceremony to mark the Lunar New Year will be conducted by Buddhists monks of the Gyutoe Wheel of Dharma on Saturday, February 9, 2008, 9:00 a.m. at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota, 1096 Raymond Avenue, St. Paul, MN-55108. Traditional Tibetan refreshments will be served.
For information visit TAFM online at www.tafm.org, or call Karma Wangchuk, executive director, TAFM at 651-917-9556, or 612-709-2103.
Tibetan Losar
The Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (TAFM) will hold the Losar (Tibetan Lunar New Year) celebration on Saturday, February 9, 2008, 2:00 p.m. at Thomas Jefferson High School, 4001 West 102nd Street, Bloomington, Minn. An entrance donation (to defray costs) of $10 for teens 10-17, and $15 for adults is appreciated.
The Tibetan community and friends are invited to attend the event, which begins with a reception, followed by the traditional celebration at 3:00 p.m., with national anthems, traditional ceremonial prayers, mandal, and an offering Kataks to Shugtri by the Gyutoe monks. The cultural entertainment program begins at 4:00 p.m., with cultural performing arts, along with a fashion and talent show.
This year’s picnic style dinner begins at 6:00 pm. Guests are asked to bring their own food and drinks enjoy dinner in the company of community. The entertainment continues at 7:00 p.m. with “open-stage” entertainment and traditional games of sho-para, cards and bingo. The Gorshay will be held simultaneously at 8:00 p.m., followed by a raffle drawing at 10:00 p.m. The event concludes at 11:00 p.m.
For information visit TAFM online at www.tafm.org, or call Karma Wangchuk, executive director, TAFM at 651-917-9556, or 612-709-2103.
Rochester Tet New Year
The Vietnamese Community of Rochester will celebrate the Tet New Year on February 9, 2008, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Mayo High School Auditorium, 1420 11th Av. SE, Rochester, Minn. The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Anh Dam, President, Vietnamese Community of Rochester 507-289-5960 x115.
Taiwanese Lunar New Year Party
The Taiwanese community of Minnesota will celebrate the Lunar New Year on February 9, 2008, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the University of Minnesota – St. Paul Campus Student Center, Northstar Ballroom, 2017 Buford Ave, St. Paul. There will be a lion dance, traditional singing and dancing, door prizes, food and entertainment.
The event is sponsored by the Taiwanese Association of America-Minnesota Chapter. Please RSVP online for pre-registration forms at www.taamn.org, and for more information call Mr. Kuang-Sheng Cheng, Chapter President, at 763-514-5197.
Chinese New Year Party
Several area Chinese dance companies are collaborating for a Chinese New Year Party performance on February 9, 2008, 7:00 p.m. at Bethel University’s Benson Great Hall, 3900 Bethel Drive, St. Paul (next to the West Parking Lot). Tickets are $8 and $6
Dance and Rhythms of Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka Student Association University of Minnesota presents the world-renowned Sri Lankan State Dance Troupe – led by dancer, choreographer and master percussionist Ravibandhu Vidyapathy – in concert on Saturday February 9, 2008, 6:30 p.m. at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus – Student Center Auditorium, 2017 Buford Avenue, St. Paul.
Tickets are $25 and $15 for students. For information contact the Minnesota – Sri Lanka Friendship Foundation at 651-578-1442 or visit online for other contacts at www.mnslff.org.
Korean Community New Year
The Korean Adoptee Ministries will hold its New Year celebration the evening of February 23, 2008 at the Korean Presbyterian Church, 5840 Humboldt Ave North Brooklyn Center, Minn. Call 651-644-3251 and visit www.kpcm.org for updates. Details are still being finalized, but there will be a dinner, entertainment, and a chance for Korean adoptees to mingle with the Korean nationals here for work and study.
Asian Media Access Lunar New Year Gala
Asian Media Access will host its Third Asian Lunar New Year Celebration on Sunday, March 2, 2008, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. at the Varsity Theater (Dinkytown), 1308 – 4th Street, SE., Minneapolis.
This exciting New Year celebration is complete with entertainment, food and a silent auction to help to raise funds for the Asian Media Access Multi Arts Complex. Guests will enjoy a diverse buffet lunch with feature dishes from are Chinese, Hmong, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian and other ethnic restaurants, and back by high demand, a showing the best of television commercials from Asia Pacific.
For information on attending or to volunteer, for group sales, sponsorships and donations please contact Chanida at 612-376-7715 or email chanida@amamedia.org.
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